For the first time the Archdiocese of Portland has set a comprehensive legislative agenda for Oregon Catholics, but wait...it looks just like the Office of Justice and Peace's playbook, not much else.
There is legislation in the works to put same-sex marriage on the Oregon agenda but no mention of opposition to this at all. Since the Archdiocese has long roots embedded in
Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon and their
member churches which include the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches (pro-homosexual activity) this doesn't surprise anyone. I don't believe any anti-abortion policies are reflected in any of the churches.
Our last lobbyist for Oregon Catholic Conference was Roger Martin. He apparently hasn't changed his pro-abortion position in the many years he represented the Archdiocese of Portland. We desperately need a change in so many positions.
Now the Office of Justice and Peace is again trying to look professional with this ad, when it is really just like the same old thing. But...let's pray this is the last time.
We used to have an Office of Marriage and Family life to balance things out.
|
|
Archdiocese of
Portland - Office of the Archbishop
2013 State Legislative
Agenda
|
In the Catholic tradition, government has a positive role because of its
responsibility to serve the common good, provide a safety net for the
vulnerable, and help overcome discrimination and ensure equal opportunity for
all.
In this tradition, and after consultation with the Board of
Advisers of the Oregon Catholic Conference, the Archdiocese of Portland urges
you to support its 2013 State Legislative Agenda by contacting your State Senators and
Representatives |
|
THE
FOUNDATIONAL PRINCIPLE OF OUR CATHOLIC FAITH IS THAT HUMAN LIFE IS SACRED AND
ACCORDED HUMAN DIGNITY.
|
 BEGINNING OF LIFE: OUR POSITION: In support of life
and dignity, we oppose SB490, the effect of which would be to discourage
clients from entering pregnancy resource
centers.
|
BEGINNING
OF LIFE: OUR POSITION: In support of life and dignity, we support SB553, which places restrictions on aborting
unborn life after the 20th week.
|
HUMAN TRAFFICKING: LABOR
TRAFFICKING/SEX TRAFFICKING (TEENAGE PROSTITUTION): OUR POSITION: Human
trafficking is a modern-day form of slavery for the purpose of sexual
exploitation or forced labor. It violates the dignity of these victims. We
support HB2021, which makes it illegal to traffic in
illegal aliens.
We support HB2780 and HB2334, which makes it a crime to facilitate sex
tourism and prostitution.
|
| DEATH PENALTY: OUR
POSITION: All life is
sacred, including those on death row. We support HRJ1,
submitting for the vote of the Oregon people a constitutional amendment to
repeal and prohibit the death penalty. |
WHILE
THE COMMON GOOD EMBRACES ALL, THOSE WHO ARE WEAK, VULNERABLE, AND MOST IN NEED
DESERVE PREFERENTIAL CONCERN.
|
EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT: OUR
POSITION: The Catholic bishops have been strong supporters of the
Earned Income Tax Credit for many years. This essential program assists workers
and families raising children to provide the necessities of life. We support
increased funding for EITC and urge support of SB507, HB2477 and SB326.
|
TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE TO NEEDY FAMILIES
(TANF): OUR POSITION: We oppose any attempts to decrease funding for
TANF or limit eligibility requirements so that TANF better serves families and
individuals in need to help them make a successful transition to work and
provide adequately for themselves and their family.
We urge our state
legislature to restore cuts to TANF in the DHS budget, in particular JOBS
Support Services, the 60-month time limit and cuts to funding for immigrants and
refugees. We urge opposition to HB2055.
|
DEBT COLLECTION PROTECTION: OUR
POSITION: The existence of a debt that is owed and past-due does not
justify an unfair process or the imposition of a severe, unjust penalty. We
support SB525/HB2826 to ensure a fair process and just
results.
|
EMPLOYMENT-RELATED DAY CARE: OUR POSITION:
We support Governor Kitzhaber's budget proposal to increase funding for
employment-related day care. The Employment Related Day Care program low-income
working families pay for child care. Progress against hunger requires broader
efforts to reduce poverty, which includes removing obstacles to employment such
as day care.
|
FORECLOSURES: OUR POSITION:
We urge our state legislators to support foreclosure prevention initiatives that
protect families at risk of losing their homes and ensure a fair process that
protects a basic human right: shelter. We support SB73, SB367 and SB368.
|
WAGE THEFT: OUR POSITION: Wage theft is the illegal
practice of not paying workers for some or all of their work. We support state
policies that will strengthen protections and close loopholes in current
employment law to guarantee that all workers are paid the wages they have
legally earned. We support state policies that will ensure that enforcement
mechanisms are effective at holding unlawful employers accountable. We encourage
passage of HB2976, HB2977, HB3142 and SB573.
|
AFFORDABLE HOUSING: OUR POSITION: Communities and the
government have an obligation to ensure the housing needs of all are met,
especially poor and vulnerable people and their families. While we support the
right to private property we do not support using this right to discriminate
against poor and vulnerable people. We support SB410 prohibiting discrimination based on receiving
particular Section 8 vouchers.
|
THE
GOSPEL MANDATE TO "WELCOME THE STRANGER" REQUIRES CATHOLICS TO CARE FOR AND
STAND WITH IMMIGRANTS, BOTH DOCUMENTED AND UNDOCUMENTED, INCLUDING IMMIGRANT
CHILDREN.
|
TUITION EQUITY FOR IMMIGRANT STUDENTS: OUR POSITION: The
Tuition Equity Bill is about fairness to high school graduates who were brought
to this country unlawfully through no fault of their own, since they came with
their parents. Despite achieving their high school diploma, they have no
options. HB2787 has passed. We encourage passage of SB10.
|
DRIVER LICENSE, DRIVER PERMIT OR
IDENTIFICATION CARD TO PERSON ISSUED DEFERRED ACTION STATUS: OUR
POSITION: We support HB3226, which authorizes the Department of
Transportation to issue driver license, driver permit or identification cards to
persons issued deferred action status (DACA) by United States Department of
Homeland Security.
|
FARM WORKER HOUSING TAX CREDIT: OUR
POSITION: Society must all do more to meet a shared obligation to
provide safe and decent housing for all. We support HB2980/SB323 to encourage the creation and rehabilitation
of affordable agriculture workforce housing ensures quality homes for vulnerable
people by extending the Farm Worker Housing Tax Credit to
2020.
|
WE HAVE A MORAL OBLIGATION TO PROTECT THE
PLANET ON WHICH WE LIVE - TO RESPECT GOD'S CREATION AND ENSURE A SAFE AND
HOSPITABLE ENVIRONMENT FOR HUMAN BEINGS, ESPECIALLY CHILDREN AT THEIR MOST
VULNERABLE STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT.
|
IDENTIFICATION AND DISCLOSURE OF
CHEMICALS HARMFUL TO CHILDREN: OUR POSITION: Among the most vulnerable
and most susceptible to the effects of environmental hazards are children.
Because children may be exposed to environmental hazards at an earlier age than
adults, even before they are born, they can develop slowly-progressing,
environmentally-triggered diseases such as asthma, childhood cancer, mercury and
lead poisoning. We urge support for HB3162 as the first step in increasing awareness of
toxic chemicals in children's
products.
|
|
|
|
|
|
